Our Admin

Sara (she, her, hers) is the Executive Director of Balanced Learning Center. She has 20 years of experience working with children and families in outpatient clinics, private schools, community mental health, home-based treatment programs and residential facilities. The principles of wraparound are a major component of her work as she believes that families are the experts on their own experiences, strengths and needs. Understanding that navigating the system can be a challenge, Sara focuses on building an integrated team of both natural and professional supports can help a family meet their goals for themselves in a way that is sustainable.  Sara specializes in working with individuals facing anxiety and depression but also in children presenting with developmental issues.  Sara is often described as dedicated to her clients, creative in her treatment approaches and sensitive to the unique needs of each family. Aside from loving on her three children, she also fully admits to being a major book fanatic (feel free to give book recommendations!), a coffee snob and slightly obsessed with cute stationery products. 

Allie (she, her, hers) is the Clinical Director of Community-Based Programming. She earned her Master’s degree from Simmons University School of Social Work in August 2021. She has over 10 years of experience working with children and families in individual and group therapy, as a special education teacher, and as a service coordinator and developmental specialist in early intervention. Allie specializes in working with neurodivergent youth, individuals facing anxiety and depression, promoting social-emotional learning individually and in schools, developing SEL curriculum, and facilitating therapeutic groups. She is currently supporting youth and families in a teletherapeutic capacity while utilizing a variety of treatment strategies including, but not limited to, strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming, attachment-oriented, play or activity therapy, STEAM oriented, psychoeducation, and group work. Allie is often described as empathetic, patient, compassionate, and supportive. She is creative in her approaches and brings positive energy into all of her work. You can often find Allie dancing in her kitchen with her two young children, reading, gardening, collecting seashells, or jamming out to her favorite music. 

Sara Jane (she, her, hers) is our Director of Educational and Clinical Coordination. She has been working with children and families for over ten years.  She has a Master's in Justice Studies from the University of New Hampshire in 2012 and a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Bridgewater State University in 2021. Her experience includes working with children and families as a licensed School Adjustment Counselor, group facilitator and clinician. Sara Jane specializes in working with children and families social emotional needs, anxiety, depression, grief, domestic and sexual violence. Sara Jane is a co-developer for BLC's summer STEAM program focusing on SEL needs of youth. She helps families navigate the educational system to best support their children. She focuses on meeting children and families where they are at by welcoming them with a genuine, non-judgmental, authentic and empathetic environment. Sara Jane loves spending time with her three young children, browsing Target or Tj Maxx and exercising. 

Cayla (she, her, hers) is the Program Director of our LGBTQ+ program Joanie's Place and our Director of Marketing. She earned her Master’s degree from the Rhode Island College School of Social Work with a focus on macro, systems change work. She tends to works with LGBTQ+ people, folks with anxiety disorders, and facilitates group psychotherapy. Cayla prioritizes the value of self-determination in all aspects of her work, firmly believing that clients and communities know themselves best. Whether it’s in an individual or group setting, Cayla ensures that each client who enters her office feels safe, supported, and validated through the use of her humor, authenticity, and engaging therapeutic activities. As Program Director of Joanie's Place, Cayla actively fosters relationships between the center and other local agencies and educational institutions while also facilitating and co-creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ people to connect with their peers, access resources and be embraced for who they are. In her free time, you’ll most likely find Cayla reading her latest book, singing along to Broadway musicals, or hanging around her baby nephews.

Maggie (she/her/hers) has over 25 years experience working with children and families. Her experience has ranged from working in direct clinical practice to policy work. Her heart lies in working with families through the adoption support, juvenile justice and educational advocacy.  She specializes in helping families and educators understand and operationalize educational plans to best support students. She Maggie takes on a solution focused approach to treatment, helping children and families find ways to mitigate their challenges and celebrate their uniqueness.  Maggie is passionate in her work and consistently extends her talents and creativity.  Maggie is fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish, an incredible asset to our community.  Maggie loves spending time with her four children, traveling and reading good books.  

Trott (he/him/his) is a seasoned professional who has been working with  a variety of populations over the past several years. A Fall River, Massachusetts native, Trott proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1998-2007. Returning to his hometown, Trott furthered his education because of his passion for serving others by earning his Masters in Social Work degree in 2016 from Boston University. He has worked with youth and families in residential facilities as well as outpatient clinics providing intensive home based behavioral support for children. Trott is the current director of the Fall River Veterans' Center. Trott specializes in behavior modification and management, developing self-regulation skills and group counseling strategies. He believes that our strengths lie in our desire to learn and make positive changes in our lives. Trott loves movies (ask him about his thoughts on Batman), art and sports - especially basketball. Go Celtics! 

William (he/him/his) is a licensed certified social worker and school adjustment counselor with a broad range of experiences. He earned a Master of Social Work degree from Rhode Island College and has worked with adults, children, and families in a variety of settings: as a therapeutic mentor, mental health clinician, and intensive care coordinator. He specializes in working with children experiencing anxiety, depression, anger management issues, developing social skills, and improving self-esteem . His therapeutic methods include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Positive Psychology. William’s supportive, collaborative approach incorporates humor, recognition of individual strengths, spirituality, and compassion. This allows his clients and their families to feel empowered, confident, and comfortable with him from the start. He loves working with children and seeing them grow as unique individuals. William’s interests include movies (especially science-fiction/fantasy), music, being outside, trying new restaurants, traveling locally and abroad, and meeting people. 

Evan (he/him/his) is the owner of Colbert Counseling and one of our amazing collaborators . Evan has 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families who have experienced complex trauma. He uses a variety of interventions for helping people process their emotions including EMDR, hypnotherapy, art/ expressive therapies along with traditional cognitive behavioral therapy. He also specialize in working with the LGBT population and have supported transgender clients in meeting the current standards of care for GRS. I use a person-centered, strengths based approach and will work closely with you on identifying what you want to get out of therapy.

  Liz (she/her/hers) graduated from Salve Regina University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and continued on to Bridgewater State University where she graduated with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. In her five years working in the mental health field, Liz has had the opportunity to work with clients in a variety of settings, including inpatient, residential, and outpatient. She specializes in working with children and adolescents who struggle with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem as well as helping them to increase their social emotional learning. Liz is known to integrate art or play into the therapeutic process to provide clients with opportunities to express themselves and their feelings in their own unique way. She strives to always build a safe space with clients where they feel they can learn, grow, and be unapologetically themselves. Liz also coordinates with families to help clients continue to achieve success with treatment outside of therapy. She enjoys being part of their journey and watching them accomplish their therapeutic goals. In her free time Liz can be found taking care of her growing collection of house plants and going for walks.  

Alexis (she, her, hers) graduated from Bridgewater State University with her Bachelor's in Psychology, as well as her Master's in Clinical Psychology. She specializes in working with youth and adolescents who identify with anxiety, low confidence levels and a need for SEL support. From daycare teacher, to school adjustment counselor, to clinician Alexis has several years of experience with these populations both in school and clinical settings. She enjoys integrating fun activities in her work clients and uses them in creative ways to gauge the therapeutic process. Alexis identifies as an eclectic therapist who pulls tools and strategies from different approaches depending on what would work best for the client. She strives to meet the needs of her clients through trust, genuineness and a positive, non-judgmental environment. Her favorite part about this work is seeing young individuals develop and maintain new skills which support their day-to-day mental health and well being . Alexis loves chocolate, getting indulged in a new TV series and spending quality time with loved ones.

 Elizabeth graduated with a B.S in psychology and a minor in childhood studies  from Bridgewater State University. She went on to continue her education at Bridgewater State University where she received her Masters of the Arts in clinical psychology. She is currently on the path to earning her license to mental health counsel.  Elizabeth has worked with children and adolescents for years in different settings. In her undergraduate studies she interned at The Attleboro Center, a community based acute treatment program, where she worked with adolescents age 12-18 years old. She also has experience working with younger children, age 6-12, at an after school program and summer camp. Throughout her graduate internship she was able to expand the population of clients she works with and now has experience in an outpatient setting working with adults as well.  Elizabeth utilizes a variety of treatment strategies including, but not limited to, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, psychoeducation, play therapy, and person centered therapy. Elizabeth believes that there is no one modality of treatment that will work for everyone and meets clients where they are at. While specific modalities are important to utilize in treatment, Elizabeth believes that the most essential factor in treatment outcome is an effective therapeutic relationship.  

Ashley (she, her, hers) has over 10 years of experience working with children in various settings. A few of her past roles include preschool and pre-k teacher, Walt Disney World character performer, children’s event performer, substitute teacher, and owner of a children’s special event company. Her work at BLC has included STEAM social-emotional group work, restorative justice group facilitation, curriculum writing and activity planning, and individual therapy with children and teens. Ashley loves nature, craft stores, photography, and anything that glitters. She also loves DIY projects and incorporates art and creativity into nearly everything she does. She is often described as creative, empathetic, outgoing and fun. Her future career goals include becoming certified in art and play therapy, which are both often incorporated into her therapeutic work. When she is not working, she is likely spending time outside with her husband and her dog, watching ‘The Office’, planning themed movie nights with her nieces and nephews, or working on a new DIY art project.

Michaela (she/her/hers) graduated from Bridgewater State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and continued her schooling to receive her Master’s in Clinical Psychology. She is working towards earning her license in mental health counseling. Michaela has worked with children and adolescents in a community-based acute treatment (CBAT) setting, a school setting doing bullying education and prevention work, and outpatient and group therapy at the Balanced Learning Center. She has a strong passion for suicide prevention work and served as a Samaritans lifeline volunteer. Michaela specializes in working with children and adolescents facing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and difficulties with self-esteem, self-control, and self-regulation. Michaela also co-facilitates therapeutic groups. Michaela utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach to adapt to the unique needs of each individual client. These evidence-based treatment approach strategies include, but are not limited to, cognitive behavioral, person-centered, strength-based, psychoeducation, mindfulness, and positive psychology. She incorporates art and play into therapy to meet children and adolescents where they are at. Michaela strives to create a safe, warm, empathetic, supportive, and non-judgmental therapeutic environment for her clients and their families. When not working, Michaela can be found spending precious time with her family, binge-watching a new TV show, browsing the aisles at Target, or reading.  

Molly (she/her/hers) is a student clinician nearing the completion of her Masters in Social Work from Simmons University. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science from the University of New Hampshire in 2014.  Molly found her clinical beginnings rather unconventionally in veterinary medicine. Realizing she would rather spend several hours on the floor with kids and their dogs talking through questions and exploring thoughts and feelings, she boxed up her stethoscope and scrubs and made her home in the field of social work.  Molly has worked with youth of diverse identities navigating complex, dynamic emotions and social and environmental transitions and contexts. To date, her work has centralized around anxiety, depression, and panic management; coping with grief and loss; as well as skill-building in realms of self-esteem and social-emotional learning. She is currently serving youth and families in a teletherapeutic capacity and has co-facilitated a handful of virtual youth support groups. Believing the client to be the expert in the room, she aspires to continually bring a collaborative, curious, empathic, strengths-based, evidence-informed, and ecologically-mindful approach to her practice.    Following attainment of her Master's degree, Molly plans to pursue certification in animal-assisted therapy. Her cats, Liam and Boots (who frequently accompany her in virtual appointments), are thrilled. Named after and often described as a Labrador, Molly can be found barefoot and laughing, spending as much time as she can with her beloved family. She enjoys nature adventures with her husband, zoomies and snuggles with Liam and Boots, watching "I love Lucy" reruns, strumming the ukulele, and dancing around her house. She will be expanding her collection of "happy books" until she can build a small house with them (or at least a fort).  She is delighted to meet you.